Writing implement



United States Patent Office 3,127,874 Patented Apr. 7, 1964` 3,127,874 WRlTlNG llt/ELEMENT Nathan Zepeloviteh, Fort Madison, Iowa, assigner to W. A. Sheaifer Pen Company, Fort Madison, Iowa, a `corporation of Delaware Filed Ang. 26, Het), Ser. No. 52,171 6 Claims. (Cl. 12u-42.4)

This invention relates to writing implements and has special reference 'to a writing instrument of the type having a freely rotatable applicator member for depositing a dry marking medium on a writing surface.

More particularly, this invention relates to a writing implement having a barrel, an applicator member mounted for rotatable movement within one end of the barrel and extending outwardly therebeyond, with a column of marking material contacting the applicator member and extending rearwardly therefrom within the barrel, and having a follower longitudinally movable within the barrel and positioned against the surface of the column remote from the applicator member. rfhere is also provided means urging the follower and the column of marking material toward the applicator member upon shortening of the column and means disposed within the barrel and engagable with the follower to restrain the follower against movement away from the applicator member.

The usual ball point pen contains a liquid writing fluid which is deposited on a writing surface by means of a freely rotatable ball. The ball is held in a socket which is formed in the forward end of a writing tip and is supported on a seat formed as an integral part of the tip. Because of this tip construction, the ball point provides several advantages which are not inherent in the usual fountain pen or mechanical pencil. With a ball point, a very substantial amount of pressure can be exerted on the writing surface when it is necessary to prepare multiple copies; the point does not need sharpening or adjusting as in the usual pencil; and it provides a long usable life without the necessity of refilling or attention on the part of the user.

The usual ball point pen utilizes a writing fluid or ink which includes the necessary dies or coloring materials dissolved in a liquid vehicle. Thus, when the ink is applied to a writing surface, the vehicle is absorbed to some extent by the paper, even with the quick drying types of ink, and stains the paper fibers to provide a permanent line-one which cannot be removed without actually removing the stained fibers. ln some instances as in signing letters, checks and other similar documents, this permanency is necessary and desirable. However, in many other instances, it is a definite disadvantage as in preparing longhand drafts or other papers subject to change. And in such instances, a pencil is most desirable since the graphite or colored deposit left by a pencil is merely scraped on the surface of the paper and does not actually stain the fibers thereof. However, a pencil presents certain problems as it requires periodic adjustment or sharpening, and the lead is subject to breakage if the user exerts a substantial amount of pressure as would be encountered in preparing multipie copies of a form, order or the like.

These problems have long been recognized by those skilled in the art, and various proposals have been made for their solution. As one example, certain manufacturers have produced a ball point pen with a liquid ink having dispersed therein very finely divided particles of carbon-black or similar pigment in order to minimize the absorption of coloring material into the paper fibers. Because of the minute size of the particles of carbonblack, however, they are absorbed into the paper to a substantial degree and lines produced by such an ink cannot be removed as easily as those made by a regular pencil. In fact, with such inks, it has been found necessary to employ an eraser containing an abrasive similar to that used in typewriter and ink erascrs. Other proposed constructions are shown in the prior art, but such devices have not proven commercially desirable because of erratic operation or the necessity of constant care and attention thereto on the part of the user.

Accordingly, it is one of the objects of this invention to provide a writing implement for applying dry writing material by means of a rotatable applicator member.

A further object of this invention is to provide a writing implement having a ball applicator and a column of marking material within the reservoir of the implement and forming a seat against which the applicator rotates.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of a writing implement containing a column of marking material and a follower which is movable automatically within the reservoir of the implement in order to maintain the marking material in contact with the ball applicator.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a writing implement including a spherical ball applicator having a roughened surface rotatable against a seat formed in a column of solid marking material within the reservoir.

Yet another object of this invention is the provision of a writing implement of the type described above, in which the follower is prevented from moving rearwardly in the pen barrel even when subjected to a substantial writing pressure on the ball applicator, but which moves forward automatically to maintain the column against the ball.

Further and additional objects of this invention will be apparent from the following escription, when taken with the accompanying drawings, in wluch:

FIG. l is a longitudinal sectional view of one embodiment of this invention:

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of FIG. l; and

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the forward portion of the writing implement shown in FIG. l, and illustrating a change in the position of the follower.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, the writing implement consists of an elongated, generally cylindrical barrel 1t) having secured to its forward end a writing tip 12. The material used in fabricating the barrel 1t) may be chosen from a wide variety of materials `such as any one of a number of wellknown plastics or metals. It should, however, be of a material which will provide an attractive surface and one which will give long service without undue scratching or the like.

The tip 12 is shown as being threadedly secured on the forward end of the barrel 19, although should it be desired by the manufacturer, the tip may be included as an integral part of the forward end of the barrel. The tip 12 includes a body portion 14 which defines an axially extending bore 16 therethrough. The forward end of the bore 16 is reduced slightly by the inwardly extending shoulder 18 which is slightly smaller in diameter than the diameter of the universally movable ball applicator 20.

As will be explained in more detail hereinafter the tip 12 is intended for continuous use with the implement (not being included in a disposable type of unit), and to insure against inadvertent damage or undesired internal or external wear during normal use, the body portion of the tip 12 preferably is formed of a very hard material or one which may be hardened by the usual heat treating process. The ball 2t?, disposed in the tip 12, preferably is two to three times larger in diameter than the ball used in present ball point pens, although the particular size chosen is not of great importance as a larger or smaller diameter may be used readily. Also, under certain circumstances, as outlined herebelow, it is preferred to provide a ball in which the surface thereof has been roughened or provided with minute indentations. Further, a ball having minute diamond particles or the like embedded therein may be used.

In the illustrated embodiment, the ball 20 is placed into the tip through the rearward end of the bore 16, with the shoulder 18 preventing loss of the ball 2i) through the open forward end of the tip. A cylindrical collar-like element 22 is then placed into the bore 16 and against the shoulder 18 so as to provide what might be termed a side bearing for the ball. The bearing 22 preferably is formed of a tubular piece of wear resistant material such as Teflon or nylon, and is retained in position by the tubular stop member 24. The stop member 24, in turn, is held in place by spinning the rearward end of the tip 12 inwardly to form a shoulder 26 of reduced diameter at the upper end of the bore 16.

As indicated in the drawings, the tip 12 does not provide an upper seat against which the ball rotates during writing use, although the forward end of the stop member 24 will prevent loss of the ball 20 during handling of the tip assembly. Instead, the seat for the applicator member 20 is provided by an elongated column 28 composed of marking material such as graphite, colored chalk or wax or the like as used in various marking devices. Thus, as the ball 20 rotates during use, it is held automatically in the proper writing position by the column of marking material, and during such. rotation a thin layer of material is picked up by the ball 20 and subsequently wiped or rubbed onto the writing surface. With a column of solid material, as illustrated in the drawings, it is preferred to use a writing ball in which the surface thereof is not completely smooth in order to insure that an adequate amount of marking material is removed from the column 28. Should the marking material be in the form of a powder or the like, which for convenience in handling may be pressed or caked, the surface of the ball may be comparatively smooth as it would be coated readily by the powdered material during its rotation. Further, depending upon the manner in which the ball is manufactured, the natural imperfections therein may be adequate for the purpose of transferring the marking material from the column 28 to the writing surface.

Disposed within the barrel and longitudinally slidable therein is a follower 30 which is positioned against the surface of the column 28 remote from the applicator or ball 20. The follower 30 is generally cup-shaped, and provided with a plurality of rearwardly extending linger portions 32, the upper tip 34 of the finger portions 32 flaring slightly outwardly so as to extend a short distance beyond the normal circumference of the follower. The rearwardly extending fingers 32 should be quite thin in cross-section so as to readily allow limited inward flexing thereof, the exact thickness of the fingers being determined by the type of material chosen for use in making the follower 30.

The follower 30 serves a dual purpose in the construction, in that it not only prevents rearward movement of the column of marking material in the reservoir, but serves to insure that the column is moved forwardly against the ball applicator as material is removed from the front of the column during rotation of the ball. The forward movement of the follower within the barrel is completely automatic and does not require any attention or care on the part of the user. And while the movement may be accomplished in various ways, such as by using a resilient spring member, the illustrated embodiment includes means comprising a body of heavy material such as lead or the like to form a weight 38 disposed within the forward end of the follower 30.

In the illustrated embodiment, the upper seat for the ball applicator 20 is shown Aas a concave, semi-spherical surface in the forward end of the column of marking material. This surface may be preformed during manufacture of the column, or may be formed by rotation of the applicator 20 during initial use. Regardless of the manner in which the seat is formed, however, it is necessaryv to prevent movement of the ball applicator 20, column 28 and follower 30 rearwardly relative to the barrel 10, and for this purpose there is provided within the barrel means comprising a locking member 40 which is generally tubular in shape and which extends substantially the entire length of the barrel 10. The locking member has formed therein a plurality of small apertures or openings 42 which are arranged in a generally helical or spiral pattern. The pitch of the helix preferably is chosen so as to provide diametrically opposed apertures 42 which are of exactly the same height, with the step or vertical distance between each of the apertures 26 being quite small-preferably in the neighborhood of 3 to 15 thousandths of an inch.

The follower 30 is slightly smaller in outside diameter than the inside diameter of the locking member 40 and is slidable therein. However, the outwardly flared tips 34 of the fingers 32 normally define a circumference slightly larger than the inside circumference of the locking member 4f) and, therefore, will enter the apertures 42 in order to positively prevent any undesired rearward movement of the follower 30, the marking material 28 and of the ball applicator 2GJ upon the application of writing pressure to the ball 2t) even if such pressure is quite substantial as would be encountered in making multiple copies. The fingers preferably are arranged so that two ngers are engaged at any one time in diametrically opposed apertures 42 in the locking member 40 as clearly illustrated in FGS. 2 and 3 of the drawing.

After each written word, the implement normally will be lifted momentarily from the writing surface and during this period of nonuse the column of marking material and the follower 30 will move forwardly to compensate automatically for the material removed from the forward end of the column during writing. And when such movement is equal to the vertical spacing between the apertures 42 a second pair of diametrically opposed tips 34 will engage the locking member 4i). It is understood, of course, that the weight 38 is sufficient to overcome any tendency for the tips 34 to hang-up in the apertures 42.

As a result of the above arrangement, the ball applicator 28, the column of marking material 28 and the follower 30 are constantly maintained in a forward writting position, and cannot move rearwardly within the barrel 10 regardless of the amount of writing pressure exerted on the ball applicator 20. And, as pointed out hereinabove, this forward movement is accomplished completely automatically without effort or concern on the part of the user.

As indicated hereinabove, the ball applicator is preferably larger than the ball of the usual ball point pen, and the column of marking material should be of substantially the same diameter in order to provide a large seat area against which the ball applicator 20 may revolve.

After the follower 3i) has reached the rearward end of the tip 12 as indicated in FIG. 3 of the drawings, a new column of marking material may be inserted in the barrel of the implement merely by removing the closure cap 36 from the rearward end of the barrel and withdrawing the locking member 48 and follower 30 therefrom. The follower 30 may then be removed from the forward end of the locking member 40, whereafter the locking member may be replaced in the barrel of the writing implement. Then, it is merely necesary to place a new column of marking material in the locking member 40, reinsert the follower 30 with the weighted end pointed toward the tip 12 and replace the closure cap 36.

The closure cap 36 includes a rearwardly facing cylindrical recess which is adapted to frictionally receive an eraser assembly 44 which may be replaced at will by the user.

From the foregoing description and the attached drawings, it will be apparent that many modifications may be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of this invention. lt will be understood, therefore, that the invention is not to be limited to the embodiment described above and it is contemplated by the appended claims to cover any such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

I claim:

l. An implement of the character described, cornprising a barrel, a tip at one end of said barrel, said tip having a central bore extending from said barrel and terminating in an annular shoulder defining a reduced forward opening, a spherical applicator member loosely disposed within said central bore, the diameter of said applicator being intermediate the respective diameters of said central bore and said shoulder to permit free longitudinal movement thereof to a position engaging said shoulder and projecting through said forward opening, a stop member disposed within said central bore and spaced rearwardly of said applicator when said applicator is in said projected position, the diameter of said applicator being greater than the opening past said stop member whereby said applicator is maintained against loss from said central bore, a column of solid marking material within said barrel, the cross section of said column permitting movement thereof past said stop member and into said central bore to provide a consumable upper seat for said applicator, a follower longitudinally movable within said barrel and positioned against the surface of said column remote from said applicator, means for automatically moving said follower and said column in a forward direction to provide engagement between said upper seat and said applicator and to urge said applicator into said projected position spaced forwardly of said stop member, and a locking portion arranged within said barrel, said locking portion engaging said follower and restraining said follower and said column against rearward movement relative to said tip whereby said applicator is supported for rotation in said projected position by said upper seat.

2. An implement of the character described, comprising a barrel, a tip at one end of said barrel, said tip having a straight longitudinal central bore extending from said barrel and terminating in an annular shoulder defining a reduced forward opening, a spherical applicator member loosely disposed within said central bore, the diameter of said applicator being intermediate the respective diameters of said central bore and said shoulder to permit free longitudinal movement thereof to a position engaging said shoulder and projecting through said forward opening, an annular stop member fixed within said central bore and spaced rearwardly of said applicator when said applicator is in said projected position, the diameter of said applicator being greater than the opening through said stop member whereby said applicator is maintained against loss from said central bore, a tubular bearing element mounted between said stop member and said annular shoulder to provide a side seat between said applicator and the wall defined by said central bore, a column of solid marking material slidable within said barrel, the cross section of said column permitting movement thereof through said stop member and into said central bore to provide a consumable upper seat for said applicator, a foliower longitudinally movable within said barrel and positioned against the surface of said column remote from said applicator, means for automatically moving said follower and said column in a forward direction to provide continuous engagement between said upper seat and said applicator and to urge said applicator into said projected position spaced forwardly of said stop member, and a cylindrical locking portion arranged within said barrel, said locking portion engaging said follower and restraining said follower and said column against rearward movement relative to said tip whereby said applicator is supported for universal rotation in said projected position by said upper seat.

3. An implement of the character described, comprising a barrel, a tip mounted on one end of said barrel, said tip having a straight longitudinal central bore extending from said barrel and terminating in an annular shoulder defining a reduced forward opening, a spherical applicator member provided with a roughened surface and loosely disposed within said central bore, the diameter of said applicator being intermediate the respective diameters of said central bore and said shoulder to permit free movement thereof within said central bore to a writing position engaging said shoulder and projecting through said forward opening, a tubular stop member fixed within said central bore and spaced rearwardly of said applicator when said applicator is in said writing position, the diameter of said applicator being greater than the opening through said stop member whereby said applicator is maintained by said stop member against loss rearwardly from said central bore, a tubular bearing element mounted between said stop member and said annular shoulder, said bearing element being formed of a wear resistant material to provide a side seat for centering said applicator relative to said forward opening, a cylindrical column of solid marking material slidably disposed within said barrel, the diameter of saidl column being less than the opening through said stop member, said column being movable through said stop member and into said central bore to provide a consumable upper seat for said applicator, a generally cup-shaped follower longitudinally movable within said barrel and positioned against the surface of said column remote from said applicator, laterally resilient finger portions extending rearwardly from said follower, means for automatically moving said follower and said column in a forward direction to provide continuous engagement between said upper seat and said applicator and to urge said applicator into said writing position spaced forwardly of said stop member, and an elongate cylindrical locking portion arranged within said barrel, said locking portion being provided with a plurality of transverse offset surfaces arranged in a generally helical pattern, said finger portions engaging said transverse surfaces and restraining said follower and said column against rearward movement relative to said tip whereby said applicator is supported for universal rotation in said projected position by said upper seat.

4. An implement of the character described, comprising a barrel, a cap removably secured to one end of said barrel, a tip assembly removably secured to the other end of said barrel, a spherical applicator member having a roughened surface mounted for universal movement within said tip assembly and extending outwardly therebeyond for engagement with a writing surface, a column of solid graphite marking material extending rearwardly from said applicator member through said tip assembly and forming a seat against which said applicator rotates, a generally cup-shaped follower longitudinally movable within said barrel and positioned against the surface of said column remote from said applicator member, laterally resilient finger portions extending rearwardly from said cup-shaped follower and having outwardly iiaring tips, means comprising a weighted body carried by said follower and urging said follower and said column for movement forwardly in said barrel upon shortening of said coiumn, and longitudinally extending cylindrical means disposed within said barrel removably retained therein against longitudinal movement by said cap, said cylindrical means being provided with a plurality of offset surfaces arranged in a generally helical pattern, the inclination of said helical pattern providing a plurality of radially spaced surfaces, each set of surfaces lying in a plane normal to the longitudinal axis of said barrel, said outwardly flaring tips being engageable sequentially with said sets of surfaces as said follower is moved forwardly in said barrel, said follower and said column being thereby restrained against the rearward movement relative to said barrel and said applicator member being thereby maintained in said outwardly projected writing position.

5. An implement of the character described comprising a barrel, a cap removably secured to one end of said barrel, a tip assembly removably secured to the other end of said barrel, a spherical applicator member having a roughened surface mounted for limited axial movement and universal rotational movement within said tip assembly and extending outwardly therebeyond for engagement with a writing surface, a column of solid marking material extending rearwardly from said applicator member through said tip assembly and forming a seat against which said applicator rotates and which supports said applicator in proper outwardly disposed position for engagement with the writing surface, a follower longitudinally movable within said barrel and positioned against the surface of said column remote from said applicator member, laterally resilient ingers extending rearwardly and iiaring outwardly from said cup-shaped follower, means comprising a weighted body carried by said follower and urging said follower and said column for movement forwardly in said barrel upon shortening of said column, and longitudinally extending cylindrical means disposed within said barrel removably retained therein against longitudinal movement by said cap, said cylindrical means being provided with a plurality of axially spaced sets of transverse oifset surfaces, said sets arranged in relative transverse staggered relationship, said outwardly flaring ngers being sequentially engageable with said sets of transverse surfaces as said follower is moved forwardly, whereby said follower and said column will be locked against movement rearwardly relative to said barrel and said applicator member will be maintained in said projected writing position.

6. An implement of the character described, comprising a barrel, a cap removably secured to one end of said barrel, a tip assembly mounted on the other end of said barrel, a spherical applicator member having a roughened surface disposed within said tip assembly, said applicator member being movable freely to a position extending outwardly beyond said tip for rotation upon engagement with a writing surface, a column of solid graphite marking material extending rearwardly of said applicator member through said tip assembly, a seat defined by the end surface of said column adjacent said applicator, a generally cup-shaped follower longitudinally movable within said barrel and positioned against the end surface of said column remote from said applicator member, laterally resilient iinger portions extending rearwardly from said cupshaped follower and having outwardly flaring tips, means comprising a weighted body carried by said follower for moving said follower and said col-umn forwardy automatically in said barrel to provide abutting engagement between said seat and said applicator and to move said applicator into said projected position, and longitudinally extending cylindrical means disposed within said barrel removably retained therein against longitudinal movement by said cap, said cylindrical means being provided with a plurality of transverse offset surfaces arranged in a generally helical pattern, said outwardly flaring tips being sequentially engageable with said transverse surfaces as said follower is moved forwardly, whereby said follower and said column will be locked against movement rearwardly relative to said tip assembly and said applicator is supported by said seat in said projected writing position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,186,290 Davis June 6, 1916 2,488,638 OConnor Nov. 22, 1949 2,500,386 Segal Mar. 14, 1950 2,536,124 Bolvin et al Jan. 2, 1951 2,598,493 Bogin et al May 27, 1952 2,613,382 Patterson Oct. 14, 1952 2,768,609 Heynan Oct. 30, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 162,454 Austria Mar. 10, 1949 1,004,708 France Nov. 28, 1951 

1. AN IMPLEMENT OF THE CHARACTER DESCRIBED, COMPRISING A BARREL, A TIP AT ONE END OF SAID BARREL, SAID TIP HAVING A CENTRAL BORE EXTENDING FROM SAID BARREL AND TERMINATING IN AN ANNULAR SHOULDER DEFINING A REDUCED FORWARD OPENING, A SPHERICAL APPLICATOR MEMBER LOOSELY DISPOSED WITHIN SAID CENTRAL BORE, THE DIAMETER OF SAID APPLICATOR BEING INTERMEDIATE THE RESPECTIVE DIAMETERS OF SAID CENTRAL BORE AND SAID SHOULDER TO PERMIT FREE LONGITUNDINAL MOVEMENT THEREOF TO A POSITION ENGAGING SAID SHOULDER AND PROJECTING THROUGH SAID FORWARD OPENING A STOP MEMBER DISPOSED WITHIN SAID CENTRAL BORE AND SPACED REARWARDLY OF SAID APPLICATOR WHEN SAID APPLICATOR IS IN SAID PROJECTED POSIITON, THE DIAMETER OF SAID APPLICATOR BEING GREATER THAN THE OPENING PAST SAID STOP MEMBER WHEREBY SAID APPLICATOR IS MAINTAINED AGAINST LOSS FROM SAID CENTRAL BORE, A COLUMN OF SOLID MARKING MATERIAL WITHIN SAID BARREL, THE CROSS SECTION OF SAID COLUMN PERMITTING MOVEMENT THEREOF PAST SAID STOP MEMBER AND INTO SAID CENTRAL BORE TO PROVIDE A CONSUMABLE UPPER SEAT FOR SAID APPLICATOR, A FOLLOWER LONGITUDINALLY MOVABLE WITHIN SAID BARREL AND POSITIONED AGAINST THE SURFACE OF SAID COLUMN REMOTE FROM SAID APPLICATOR MEANS FOR AUTOMATICALLY MOVING SAID FOLLOWER AND SAID COLUMN IN A FORWARD DIRECTION TO PROVIDE ENGAGEMENT BETWEEN SAID UPPER SEAT AND SAID APPLICATOR AND TO URGE SAID APPLICATOR INTO SAID PROJECTED POSITION SPACED FORWARDLY OF SAID STOP MEMBER, AND A LOCKING PORTION A 